The Glasbury Angling Club
The Early Years
The Wye has always been regarded as an excellent
game and coarse fishing river and the stretch flowing though Glasbury
is no exception. Here, for the coarse angler, the fish include
:-- Bream, Chub, Dace, Eel, Gudgeon, Lamprey, Minnow, Perch, Pike,
Roach and over recent years the Barbel, a great fighter and much
sought after, and which has now migrated well above the river
at Glasbury - to the detriment of the salmon whose habitat it
favors.
From time immemorial the residents of Glasbury
have had the right to fish for coarse fish and trout from the
furthest point of the island below the bridge to the start of
the wall by the Old Vicarage above the bridge. This was a courtesy
of the de Wintons of Maesllwch Castle, but on no account was salmon
fishing allowed; which was and still is, a preserve of the wealthy.
All that was needed for the village water was a keen resident
with a fishing licence.
Despite the free fishing, angling was not straightforward for
the working man, with weekends and evenings providing their only
fishing time - and not easy at all for some-one raising a family.
Along with this, Glasbury has always been a hot spot for locals
and tourists to sunbath, picnic, swim and canoe, especially in
summer and generally above the bridge, with the more adventurous
paddling across to the island.
So, what to do now?. The Racing and the Football had both gone
by the mid to late 1960's. Thus it was mooted that an Angling
Club should be considered. With this in mind a meeting was called
in the Glasbury Village Hall in January 1970. After a rumbustious
debate it was decided to form a club and this would be called
the Glasbury Angling Club with a committee of the founding members
plus a Junior Representative; this being Master Tim Northam who
lived in the Old Forge just past the Maesllwch Hotel (now Foyles
of Glasbury). Tim's mother Jo' was a prominent and active member
on the Parish and later Community Council for many years and is
fondly remembered by all who were fortunate enough to know her.
Further meetings were held at Glasbury House, this being a cheaper
alternative and Major Curtis was approached to be the Clubs President.
He duly agreed and officiated at the Club dinners and prize giving.
Further to this the owner of the Spread Eagle fishing, March and
Baxters at the time, gifted the coarse fishing on the footpath
above the bridge on the true right bank to the Club. In 1970 the
Club also acquired the fishing rights to Llanbwlchllyn Lake which
they still retain to this day. The GAC was also one of the earliest
clubs to admit female members, both junior and adult, and is a
policy which pertains to this day. New members are always welcome.
Above left - Major Curtis presenting Master Philip
Griffiths with shield and trophy; with Dave Ellis in the left
background.
Above right - Steve Miles with a record 23lb cod on a sea fishing
trip to Swansea in 1976; The record still stands today. Dave Ellis
is in the background.
Modern Times
In
the interim the Glasbury Angling Club has gone through
interesting times, causing Dave Ellis to resign as the Club threatened
to become elitist, inward looking and dis -interested in taking
on new members. Common sense eventually prevailed and the Club
is now a thriving enterprise with some 60+ members including 9
Juniors. Dave Ellis is now back as Chairman and the Club has transferred
it's allegiance to Foyles of Glasbury, where they hold regular
meetings and their Annual Dinner.The Club now has more Officers
(see below) and runs more activities. These include Members meetings
at Foyles, club records for each species of fish, angling events
(including sea fishing trips) , numerous competitions at adult
and junior levels and an Annual Prize giving alongside their Annual
Dinner.
Current Officers 2023 :
--
Chairman - Mr D. Ellis
Secretary - Mr N. Jones Treasurer - Mr
J. Holmes
Match Secretary - Mr I. Mcenzie Events
Organizer - Mr W. Price
Club Records
1) Junior Freshwater Records
click here
2) Adult Freshwater Records
click here
3) Adult Sea/Saltwater Records
click here
4) Adult Sea/Saltwater measured
Records click
here
B Bowker
10.08.2023
Sources : -- B
Bowker and Dave Ellis with photographs from respective Club Members
Club
Records courtesy of Dylan Ellis